“Yes, I believe our city police are doing what they can to curb the violence that is sweeping our city.

“However, they're out-gunned, over-taxed and understaffed.

“They need help.

“They need more boots on the ground.

“They need manned, 24-hour sub-stations in

high crime areas.

“They need heavily armed foot patrols and undercover officers to show a presense of force.

“They need to send a message to the thugs that this nonsense will not be tolerated and that we the people are proteceted.

“Right now, I do not feel safe in this city and I am sure I am not alone.

“Yes, drugs are at the cornerstone of our city's crime, but so is prostitution, poverty and an overall feeling of hopelessness.

“This city is but a shell of its properous past.

“This makes for desperate people and, as we all know, desperate people do desperate things.

“Our elected officals are right to say jobs are needed.

“They are right to say that communities need to get involed.

“But these are long-term solutions and not a cure to our present day problems.

“Take care of today and let tomorrow take care of itself.

“When our youth see all the out-of-state plates, when they see the overcrowding, when they see prostitutes and drug dealers doing their thing day and night, when they see lawlessness go unpunished, what message does that send?

“I've heard it said we do not have enough jail space.

“Well, if thats the case, then I'm all for building a bigger jail, if thats what it takes to return this city and our beloved county to a place that a family can safely raise their children and our seniors can can rest at night.

“We need action today and our citizens need to see that something is being done today.

“Let’s not wait until a child is accidently shot or another senior is senselessly murdered.

“Let’s see something being done proactively, not reactively.’’

— relocated Tea Burner

—

“Chief, maybe you have no respect for this Marine, but many others do.

“It won’t be long that I will be asking for vets when I do my bell ringing.

“I do some things right whether you think so or not.

“I just went and mailed some letters and one lady didn’t care much for your writing.’’